Hotspot: Miraj Hammam Spa (Shangri-La)

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My invitation for a facial at the Miraj Hammam Spa inside Toronto’s Shangri-La hotel could not have come at a better time, as I had a chance to exfoliate my skin a few days before a portrait session.

Time flies when you’re in a luxurious and relaxing environment being pampered by a professional esthetician. The reception area was quiet when I arrived on a weeknight and inside the atmosphere was even more tranquil. The overall interior design is kind of dark, so it might make you sleepy if you go in the morning or afternoon.

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How To React To The New Chevrolet Malibu

Photo Source: Adweek

Photo Source: Adweek

When Facebook launched their new Reactions feature, I was curious to see how my friends and peers in the advertising industry would respond. It’s been around for about a week now and I have yet to use anything but the Like button; however, I think that’s simply a response to the type of content that has appeared in my news feed. If something was truly shocking or devastating, I wouldn’t hesitate to say “Wow!” with a click.

One of my favourite new ads capitalizes on Facebook’s Reactions to demonstrate how much their customers will love their latest product. To produce their one-minute spot “From Like to Love,” Chevrolet and their agency Commonwealth/McCann collected video clips from user-generated content. The videos capture typical moments that are shared on social media like kids’ first day of school and an engagement.

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Play Review: Vegas The Show

Photo Source:  V Theater Box Office

Photo Source: V Theater Box Office

It’s hard to turn down free tickets, so when one of my former hotel packages included a voucher for a dinner and show at Planet Hollywood, how could I say no? In the end, I chose to eat at the Italian restaurant Lombardi’s and see Vegas! The Show.

The premise of Vegas! The Show is appealing because it’s a variety show that tells audiences about the history of Las Vegas. The show is bookended with narration by a janitor who makes funny quips about the characters you’ll find walking on Las Vegas Blvd, such as pushy promoters. The best parts of the show highlight the glitz and glamour present along the Strip throughout the decades, which includes classy restaurants and showgirls.

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Book Review: The Choice

TheChoiceBanner

Photo Source: ComingSoon.net

Motivated by the success of his hit novel The Notebook, Nicholas Sparks aimed to recreate similar characters and obstacles in The Choice. I don’t think The Choice deserves to be a classic like The Notebook, but it’s definitely worth reading.

The Choice is about two neighbours, Travis and Gabby, who fall in love. In their first face-to-face encounter, Gabby storms over to Travis’ deck and falsely accuses his dog of impregnating her dog. I’m not an animal lover, but I didn’t mind reading about their pets. Sparks sprinkles in their dogs Moby and Molly just enough and doesn’t go into great detail when describing the animals at Travis’ veterinary clinic.

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Bell Let’s Talk

Photo Source: Bell

Photo Source: Bell

Bell Let’s Talk Day is one of my favourite corporate success stories. The charitable initiative, which is run by one of Canada’s top telecommunications companies, aims to remove the stigma surrounding mental health. That’s a campaign that I can stand behind year after year.

Bell has enlisted celebrity spokespeople, such as Howie Mandel and Serena Ryder, to spread the word and use their influence for a good cause. Based on a global response in previous years, I anticipate many more famous people will participate on the day of the event.

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